Editor's Note

Club # 2.

Rotary envisions “a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.” World fellowship. Ideal of service. These undoubtedly are sublime aspirations which are worth attaining and sustaining.

Each Manila Rotarian knows fully well that he is part of a global network. Because of this, the Rotary Club of Manila, the First in Asia, relentlessly pursues joint projects with other well-established Rotary Clubs around the world. The Rotary Club of San Francisco (RCSF), affectionately called “Club #2”, is among those which RCM is currently partnering in pursuit of a noble and notable project.

Why is RCSF called Club # 2? Because it is the second oldest club in the world. The RCSF’s history is as rich as its sterling record of service over the years. Founded in 1908 after the 1906 great earthquake and fire, its creation was part of the brave effort to rebuild San Francisco. The RCSF would later play a major role in the numerous early milestones of Rotary International, including the creation of clubs in Los Angeles and New York, among others. Notably, it was RCSF which paved the way for the establishment of the first Rotary Club outside of the United States in Dublin, Ireland. It has since been unyielding in spreading the Rotary spirit and participating in service projects around the world.

It is thus unsurprising that the RCSF has gladly welcomed the forging of a strong and meaningful partnership with RCM for the implementation of a worthwhile project for the benefit of young children with physical disabilities. Let us all work hard for its successful implementation.

World fellowship. Ideal of service. The RCM-RCSF (with Alliance for Smiles) project eloquently exhibits the unflagging pursuit of these aspirations.

BIGGEST LOSER.

Last Sunday, November 13, the Rotary Club of Manila kicked off the first-ever Biggest Loser contest. It was held amidst a day filled with sports, fellowship and fun activities. One of the highlights, of course, was the exciting weigh-in to determine the contestants' starting weights. The measured weight will serve as the baseline for determining the overall winner a couple of months from now, or in March 2023. The weigh-in, with each contestant having his own entrance music, was such a joy to watch.

RCM’s The Biggest Loser derived its inspiration from an American competition reality show with same title that run for seventeen seasons from 2004 to 2016 in NBC, and revived in 2020 in USA Network. The show features overweight contestants competing to win a cash prize by losing the highest percentage of weight relative to their initial weight. But in true RCM fashion, even those who were relatively fit and trim participated in the contest, armed with a gritty determination to push themselves to achieve a healthier weight. Also, this RCM fun contest is designed and intended to generate funds for the Club’s projects and advocacies, with all the contestants shelling out a minimum amount even before last Sunday’s weigh in.

The Biggest Loser will surely test the drive, discipline, and dedication of the contestants in achieving their respective targeted weight loss. This is a contest where losing means winning. May the force be with you, Biggest Loser candidates!